Room 406, evening

[izzyalienqueen]

The trip home to Roswell had quite possibly been even longer and more emotional then Isabel thought it would be. But she'd gotten through it and answered questions as best she could. Despite the worry that had Liz pale and silent and Maria frantic with panic, Isabel was still grateful that for once there were no more secrets. Her parents hadn't let her out of there sight for the day, they'd been upset by the years of deception, but in the end they'd understood that they were only trying to keep them safe.

They hadn't wanted her to come back to school though. It took a lot of talking and Isabel nearly breaking down before they'd finally agreed. Even then, she wasn't certain that believed all her reasons for wanting to go back. Apparently it was one thing to believe in aliens, but demons, wizards and time travellers were another story entirely. Fortunately that was when Bel turned up to bring her home. Isabel didn't think she'd ever forget the shocked expression on her mother's face as Bel took her hand and they started to shimmer away.

They reappeared in her room and Isabel let go of Bel's hand to collapse on her bed, worn out by the day.

[ooc: Post is open! Bel modded with permission]

Comments

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack stiffened at that, his concern for Isabel temporarily overcome by his worry that she'd be leaving. "But you're here," he said, tugging gently on her hand. "That means you're staying. Right?"

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"I'm staying," she nodded. "I think when I started panicking, they realized I really couldn't stay."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack relaxed and freed one hand to pull her into a hug. "Good. Good. I get why they'd want you to stay, but we need you here." He was quiet for a minute, then asked, "How much did you tell them about what happened to you? And to Max and Michael?"

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"I need to be here. It hurts when I'm there. I kept waiting for Max or Michael to come through the door," Isabel said as she relaxed against him. "The only thing I didn't tell them about was what Kivar did to me. I didn't want them to worry."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Privately, Jack was relieved; he doubted they would have let her return if they'd known what Kivar had done, no matter how upset she'd been. But he didn't say it, instead he nodded and pulled her closer. "Okay, you made it home, you told them what you had to tell them, and for the moment at least, it's over. You can relax," he said, resting his chin on her hair. "And think about important things, like how many dances you're going to save for me."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"How many can you spare?" Isabel asked. "And won't your thingies be jealous?" She yawned then, two nights of little sleep catching up with her.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"I can spare as many as you need," he said, brushing the hair out of her face. "And it's you, they'll understand." Jack studied her for a bit, absently siding his fingers through her hair. "Tired, huh?"

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"I won't be greedy. Save me a slow one and I'll be happy," Isabel said, turning her head to kiss his palm. "I am. But thank you for staying last nigh."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"I should be thanking you." He tugged playfully on her ponytail. "You're very warm, you know. And snuggly. My own personal teddy bear."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"No, I think you're the one that's snuggly," she teased. "But I'm not complaining. You make me feel safe."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Now that does make me happy," he said softly, head tilted as he looked down at her. "And I'd never let anything happen to you. No matter what." He hesitated for a long moment, one hand cupping her cheek, then grinned and let it fall. "Want me to stay again?"

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"No thingies again tonight?" Isabel asked, frowning and worrying if there was a problem.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"We don't plan ahead," he said, laughing a little. "I'm meeting River in the morning, and I'll find Sam or Cedric tomorrow sometime, and find the other one the next day. It all balances out along the line, and if you need me, this is where they'd all say I should be."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"I'd say yes, but I'm afraid of getting spoiled," she admitted. "It's too easy to get used to you."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"You deserve to be spoiled, Isabel." His eyes were serious as they met hers. "And I don't get to do it for much longer, so I'll take every chance I can get."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

Isabel looked down at the reminder of how little time their really was. "In that case, yes. Stay with me tonight."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Sitting with her, watching her, knowing how little time was left, a fleeting thought Jack refused to acknowledge came and went. He ignored it and settled for gently rubbing her back. "Happily. I knew there was a reason I left clothes here. But you," he touched the tip of her nose, "have to promise to try and sleep tonight."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"I'll try. I promise." She brushed her her lips across his cheek, then pulled away to go in search of clothes. "Why don't you get changed while I go get washed up?" Isabel asked, pulling a t-shirt and boxers out of the drawer and heading into the bathroom.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack watched her, then sighed and slumped backwards once the door was closed. After a minute, he hopped up and quickly got changed, crawling into bed and settling down under the covers at the edge of the bed, so he'd be between Isabel and the door.

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

A few minutes later the door opened an Isabel slipped out, washed and scrubbed, her hair loosely tied back off her face. She smiled down at Jack, recongnizing what he was doing. Carefully she climbed over him and slipped under the covers, curling into his side and resting her hand on his chest. "So are you taking your thingies to prom?"

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Hopefully. Sam and Cedric are coming with me, and I'm going to ask River in the morning." He smiled up at the ceiling. "Sam said she'd help River find a dress. I think we're going to make a very pretty picture."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"A very pretty picture," Isabel agreed walking her fingers across his chest to tickle him lightly. "I'll be sure to bring my camera. I'll be doing the stag thing again, I think. Which means I get to dance with all the handsome men without worrying about making anyone jealous."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

It was automatic to grasp her fingers and lift them up, kissing each one, before settling her hand back on his chest. "Why stag? Greg not going to be here?"

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Greg and I broke up two weeks ago," she explained quietly, moving her hand to rest over his heart.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Oh." His smile faded. "What happened?"